The Little Engine That Does
The State Games of America, coming to Penn State July 24–August 2, 2026, will bring more than 8,000 athletes and thousands of fans to Happy Valley. Tens of thousands of room nights and millions in visitor spending are expected. For the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA), the small nonprofit that helped land the event, it is proof that measurable, visitor-driven growth works.
The Fight to Stay Open: Why Local Restaurants and Venues Need Us Now More Than Ever
They feed our community, create our culture, and carry quiet burdens. Bubba’s Eggs, Steaks and Shakes is the latest to show up for us. By Greg Woodman We’ve all seen the hashtags and window signs: Shop Local. Eat Local. Love Local. But real support for locally owned restaurants, retail stores, and music venues cannot live […]
Purple Pinkie Pale Ale is Coming to Happy Valley!
Have you asked yourself how you can make a difference in the lives of kids across the globe without leaving Happy Valley and while having fun doing it?
Well, the members of the State College/Downtown Rotary Club are here to help! During October, you can enjoy ice cream and beer while doing good around the world during the second annual Pints Against Polio.
In Search of Solace in Happy Valley
From deafening crescendo to devastating collapse, the arc of ultimately unfulfilled anticipation that held Happy Valley in thrall throughout this past weekend will, for better or worse, define more than the rest of Penn State’s 2025 football season and quite possibly many more to follow.
Music That Connects Us: Manny’s Celebrates Two Years of Secret Planet with a Week of Global Sounds
At Manny’s Live Performance Space, something magical is about to happen. From October 4–9, Manny’s will celebrate the two-year anniversary of Secret Planet with a week-long series of concerts that bring the heartbeats of the world to our little corner of Central Pennsylvania.
A Celebration of Creativity: The First HappyValley Maker Faire
Last weekend, something truly extraordinary happened at Axemann Brewery. The first-ever HappyValley Maker Faire brought together curious kids, seasoned engineers, creative artists, garage inventors, and everyday tinkerers for a hands-on, high-energy celebration of creativity and community. As someone who has spent a career in business and marketing, I have seen my fair share of expos and trade shows. But this was different. This was alive. It was a living network of community and connection, a space where people didn’t just attend—they belonged.
IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley Selected to Host 2026 North American Championship
IRONMAN® announced that the IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon has been chosen to host the prestigious 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship. The event returns to central Pennsylvania on Sunday, June 14, 2026, bringing with it a North American Championship title, elevated professional prize purse, and expanded age-group qualifying opportunities for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.
Grammy Award-Winning Band A Great Big World to Headline Benefit Concert for the State College Food Bank
The State College Food Bank is excited to announce A Great Big Fight to End Hunger, a powerful benefit concert featuring Grammy Award-winning band A Great Big World, proudly presented by Valhalla Business Advisors. The event will take place Monday, September 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM at The State Theatre in downtown State College.
Happy Valley Fall 2025: The Love Boat Semester at the ChatGPT Inflection Point
The curtain is going up this weekend, and the audience has arrived. Fifty thousand students. Parents and alumni. Visitors from every corner of the globe. Sidewalks pulse, cranes stretch the skyline, and Saturday’s kick off bar crawl starts at noon will hum with thousands wearing the same Line Leap t-shirt. This is the kickoff to fall in Happy Valley — our in-season.
